By Abigail David
President Bola Tinubu says he is prepared to defend his mandate ahead of the 2027 general election, declaring that he will not back down from political competition.
The President made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking on the upcoming election, Tinubu said political opponents were free to challenge him but stressed that he would contest to the very end within the rules of democracy.
“Those who want to take it from me will try. Politics is a contest, and everyone has an equal opportunity. I will not give up without a fight,” he said.
Tinubu also defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the electoral body as neutral and dismissing allegations of bias raised by some political opponents.
On his administration’s performance, the President said reforms introduced over the past three years were beginning to produce results. He cited the uninterrupted academic calendar in public universities as one of the achievements, noting that the absence of prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had benefited students and their families.
Tinubu acknowledged that his administration inherited significant economic challenges but maintained that the economy had stabilised and that improvements in living conditions were beginning to emerge.
Addressing the issue of mission schools, the President said decisions on returning schools to their original owners rest with state governments rather than the Federal Government. He encouraged the Catholic bishops to engage governors on the matter.
He also called for national unity, urging Nigerians to work together to overcome security and economic challenges while building a more stable and prosperous country for future generations.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria delegation, led by Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, concluded the visit after meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa.
